Letters to the Editor: Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Two sides to restaurant, county inspection story… New state agency should help Cold War veterans

Two sides to restaurant, county inspection storyTo the editor,

Many times there are two sides to a situation.

I read the article about “Health Department Restaurant Inspectors Criticized” and asked myself, don’t the county commissioners check on the facts before commenting about these incidents.

As a former employee of the Lenawee County Health Department, I hope to enlighten the readers of this newspaper with information that was most likely never fully explained to the county commission or to the paper.

First, Mr. Francouer, from the Lenawee Country Club was stated that he “was upset with being threatened with a $200 fine and treated as if he had intentionally violated a water testing requirement he admitted overlooking.”

I have worked in the Non-community Water Supply Program for more than 15 years and know for a fact that a facility on a well such as the Lenawee Country Club is sent reminders. In fact, I am sure Mr. Francouer was given numerous reminders through the year to sample the water for his facility.

And since the Lenawee Country Club has two wells, they are sent reminders for each well. Written reminders are mailed out the first part of January, April, July and October, in addition reminder phone calls are made to the water supply if the sample results have not been received prior to the due date.

I personally have made reminder calls to the Lenawee Country Club in the past. Additional reminders by mail and/or by phone are made to the facility. The number of reminders exceeds what is required by the state and federal requirements for that program.

How many places will send you multiple reminders in the mail and multiple phone calls before a due date? I get one notice to renew my plates by my birthday and I know my tax returns are due by April 15th. No one ever calls me to remind me that the due date is approaching.

Copies of all reminders and phone calls are kept with the facility file and can easily be reviewed under the Freedom of Information Act.

County Commissioner Smith made a comment about inspectors in Lenawee having a reputation for negative treatment toward restaurants. Well last year, the Lenawee County Health Department received one of the highest accreditation reports of any county health department in the State. Why is that? Because the inspectors are doing it right and the majority of restaurant are doing it right.

During 18 years of conducting food inspections in Lenawee, I have seen many things go on in food service operations, good and bad. However, the patrons visiting restaurants in Lenawee should know that overall, the food services in Lenawee County operate exceptionally well and I commend the owners of those food services. I also commend the inspectors for their job.

I know there are many others who are in the same category I am — Cold War veterans. I got out of the Air Force in February 1961 after 3 1/2 years on active duty. In 50-plus years since then I’ve gotten nothing as a result of serving. Can’t join the Legion or the VFW. DAV for membership is not open to Cold War veterans.

I attend the parades, memorials, etc. as a veteran but I’m still an outcast.

I doubt very much if this new agency will help me, but that’s my fault.

Brent BachmanAdrian

Editor’s note: Michigan’s newly formed Department of Military and Veterans Affairs can be reached online at http://www.michigan.gov/dmva, http://www.facebook.com/midmva or DMVA-Webmaster@michigan.gov. The phone number for Maj. Gen. Gregory J. Vadnais is 517-481-8083.